My heart’s with City says stay-put Barrow

CHESTER CITY assistant manager Graham Barrow last night gave the club a welcome boost when he pledged his future to the Coca-Cola League Two outfit and turned down an approach from Swansea City to become the assistant to their newly installed manager Roberto Martinez.

CHESTER CITY assistant manager Graham Barrow last night gave the club a welcome boost when he pledged his future to the Coca-Cola League Two outfit and turned down an approach from Swansea City to become the assistant to their newly installed manager Roberto Martinez.

The Spaniard, who left Chester on Friday to become the manager of the South Wales club, was keen to take Barrow to the Liberty Stadium, but the likeable Lancastrian sees his future at the Deva Stadium.

Barrow said: “I was flattered to receive the approach from Roberto, and I know he will make a success of his career in management but my heart and affection is and always has been with Chester City.

“Mark (Wright) and the chairman have always been fair to me. I have always been an extremely loyal person and I want to repay the faith that Mark and Mr Vaughan have shown in me.”

Barrow added: “I believe that we have the makings of creating something extremely positive at Chester City. We have an enthusiastic chairman who backs his management team to the hilt, and a progressive manager who has some excellent ideas about the game. That’s why I have come to my decision.”

Wright and Barrow will intensify their search for playing reinforcements today, after their threadbare squad narrowly lost 1-0 at the County Ground on Saturday.

City have lost four players to other clubs since the turn of the year, and with Ashley Westwood and Lee Steele both ruled out through injury, it meant that the side who faced Swindon had an unfamiliar look to it.

While on the balance of play the Wiltshire side deserved their victory, Swindon’s goal came from a controversial penalty after only nine minutes. The referee adjudged Paul Linwood had handled, when to most observers it had hit the City defender on his side. Jack Smith dispatched the spot-kick.

The ever-improving Jon Danby then made a succession of excellent saves, and towards the end City could have nicked an equaliser.

Wright said: “The referee was the same guy who gave two penalties against us in an earlier game, and we will be complaining about his performance.

“Our lad simply turned and the ball hit him on the back.”

When asked about his intentions to bring in fresh faces this week, Wright added: “The dressing room needs a lift. I’ve got to try and find new players. My phone has already been red hot this week.”

City are next in action tomorrow night when they entertain Hereford United at the Deva Stadium (kick-off 7.45pm).